
In a devastating turn of events, Mikaela Shiffrin’s quest for a record-breaking 100th World Cup victory came to an abrupt and painful end on Tuesday when she suffered a nasty crash in the giant slalom race at her home resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Shiffrin, who has dominated the women’s World Cup circuit for over a decade, lost her balance at high speed on the bottom section of the course. She caught an inside ski and went tumbling down the slope, narrowly avoiding the protective netting. Medical personnel rushed to her aid and transported her to the hospital.
Initial reports indicate that Shiffrin sustained a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) in her left knee. She underwent surgery and is expected to make a full recovery, but the timeline for her return to competition remains uncertain.
Shiffrin expressed her disappointment and frustration after the race, saying, “I’m so devastated to have to end my Cortina weekend this way. I was feeling great and really believing in myself. But this is sport, and sometimes things happen that you can’t control.”
Shiffrin was just one win away from becoming the second female skier to reach 100 World Cup victories. Only Ingemar Stenmark of Sweden has achieved this milestone. Her crash at Cortina will now force her to wait longer for this historic accomplishment.
Shiffrin’s absence from the World Cup circuit will undoubtedly shake up the standings. She has been the dominant force in both the giant slalom and slalom disciplines, and her rivals will be hoping to make their mark in her absence.
Shiffrin’s long-term goal remains to compete at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina. Despite the setback, she remains optimistic and determined to return to the top of the podium as soon as possible. “I’m going to stay positive and focus on getting back as strong as I can,” she said.
